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April trip - south africa and mozambique vs mauritius beaches?

I'm looking to plan a trip that will focus on beautiful warm beaches - I would love to go to Africa, and would be able to take off in april, and am thinking of either mozambique or mauritius. The advantage of mozambique and SA would be kruger national park. But I want to make sure the beaches are beautiful and warm enough at that time of year. Any thoughts on beaches of mozambique vs mauritius? Is April going to be an okay time to travel? I would hate to spend all that money and not have it be warm enough... How about the cost of travel in these areas?

Beaches should be warm at that time of year, it is going in to winter in Southern Africa, however Mozambique is close to the tropics. For really beautiful beaches, consider the Bazaruto Islands just off Mozambique coast. Mauritius is very commercial, but also lovely. www.kimssouthafrica.blogspot.com

Mozambique beaches are beautiful--white sand and turquoise water. The diving and snorkeling is spectacular; the cost of lodging is flexible depending on what you want to pay-- $80 a night for a standard comfortable room with air conditioning on the beach or more for a 5 star hotel. April is hot (90 degrees), especially in the north of Mozambique--try the islands of the Qurimbas Archipelago.

I have lived in Mauritius for the past four years, serious crime here especially involving tourists is extremely rare. This dreadful crime is as tragic to locals and expats living in Mauritius as it is to everyone else in the world. It is truly shocking and the 3 suspects are in jail pending trial.

Crellston - no offense intended but why on earth would this isolated crime put anyone off traveling to Mauritius? Crimes happen in the world every single day, murder happens often in South Africa and the USA - probably on a daily basis in those countries. I have visited both South Africa (several times)and the USA and would do so again in a heartbeat. To suggest that this horrible and senseless crime by three individuals should put any one off traveling to Mauritius is outrageous and potentially harms the livelihoods of thousands of locals who work tirelessly in the tourism industry to provide an amazing service for tourists and locals alike for very low wages.

Yes what happened to this young bride is absolutely shocking but don't blame Mauritians in general. Mauritius is a quiet, peaceful and beautiful country. (not commercial at all, IMHO)

BTW - April is Autumn (March, April, May) in this part of the world and a lovely time of the year to visit South Africa, Mozambique and Mauritius.

How does the cost of travel compare between mozambique and mauritius? Also how long would one need in each to really see the country? In mozambique, the advantage would be that we could do beaches and see kruger national park. I know that one has to get a separate visa for mozambique though, hopefully thats not too complicated.

Hi SMR00, I have travelled to 10 different countries and worked in 3, if you really want an African holiday Mauritius is not the country I would recommend. It is a lovely tropical island that is an African country but compared to the mainland it feels nothing at all like Africa. If you want to see animals go to South Africa (or another African country known for it's animals) then maybe combine that with a few days at the beach in either Mozambique or Mauritius. To be really honest if you are going to do SA Mozambique may be the easiest and most cost effective add on.

To really see South Africa - Months, Mozambique weeks to months, Mauritius, you can get a good overview in one to two weeks to really see it more time is needed.

Bwino, no offence taken but exactly where in my post did I suggest that this event SHOULD put anyone off Mauritius. As for your comment " but don't blame Mauritians in general" again, where exactly did I assign blame to anyone?

smr00, maybe something like 10 to 12 days in South Africa and the rest at the beach. I don't know anything about a US citizens requirements for a visa for Mozambique but would not think it would be too difficult.

Good luck with your planning, once you have decided you destination you will get lots of help here on the actual planning.

I just want to make sure that wherever I go, its super warm. I am sure there are parts of SA that won't be that warm in April. How many days in Kruger National Park should I devote and what cities would you suggest we see?

HI smr00, I feel your excitement, I have been travelling to Africa for almost 20 years and can still remember the excitement of my first trip which was to Zimbabwe. From my first day there I knew I would be back, as they say, Africa gets in your blood and I am excited every time I go.

I have never done a safari in South Africa, only in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Rwanda and Tanzania I have done animal safari's. I would suggest you make a new post about Kruger and get recommendations from those who have been there.

As far as cities go, Cape Town is a must! It is a fantastic city and there is lots to do and see. If you are going through Johannesburg there are some great things to see as well. You are right that SA will likely not be hot in April but it should be lovely Autumn weather, I guess it is all relative depending on the temperatures you are used to.

Just don't let weather spoil your trip, noone really knows what it will be like when you are there, no matter what just enjoy your first trip to Africa.

I knowww but I really need to go somewhere warm! Its freezing where I am now and I just need 80+ degree weather hehe. It wouldn't feel like a vacation, going somewhere cooler. What are typical temperatures during that time? If SA isn't going to be that warm then, then maybe I will have to go there another time. Is mozambique though? Maybe combine mozambique with another neighboring country that would be warmer?

Okay so I did more research apparently around this time temperatures are in the high 70s? Is that about accurate? That is kind of surprising given the proximity to the equator? I also looked and Tanzania is similar in temp as well. I could go in the beginning of May if that made a difference. I definitely want to make sure I go at the right season where I see animals but also where the weather is conducive to being on the beach and just being downright summery...

Kwazulu Natal has the most temperate weather of all the provinces in SA at this time of year. The WC had people swimming and sun bathing on our beautiful beaches in the height of winter in June/July. We have the warm Indian Ocean and the game parks side by side. It is also home of the Zulu and Durban is home to Zulu, Hindu, Muslim, English & some Afrikaans, so culturally a very rich Province. The city is not as beautiful and quaint as CT, however it is a very interesting African place to visit. The other option is to Tanzania and Zanzibar. Good Luck and enjoywww.kimssouthafrica.blogspot.com

Okay so I think what we can do is go the last week of march and the first week of april - would this help with the weather issue? I thought tanzania, based on what I read, was cooler as well. How warm is it at the tail end of summer?

I agree about Capetown in SA. There is so much to do in that area and so much to see that you'll have no problem staying busy and seeing a lot yet still have time for the beautiful weather. if you go there, try to set a day aside for wine country - Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Beautiful country, good wines, great wine tastings! I have no experience with Mozambique and peripheral with Mauritius, since my fiance grew up there. What drew me to this thread is that we are also planning on going to Mauritius on our honeymoon (2012) and maybe a stop in Zambia (where we grew up) to see his siblings that are still living there. I'm just now starting to research it so I'll probably be on here a lot from now til then. It's been awhile - haven't traveled!